Close Icon
Gear IconImportant Notice:We have made the tough decision to say goodbye to the Foursquare City Guide mobile app, effective December 15, 2024, with the web version to follow in early 2025. Visit our FAQ for more information or to download our Swarm app.
Learn more
Secrets of the South Bay
Shine Cleaners is one of Secrets of the South Bay.

1. Shine Cleaners

6162 Bollinger Rd (at Miller Ave.), San Jose, CA
Laundry Service · West Valley · 2 tips and reviews

Tom M.Tom McGhan: Super friendly owners, they use "green" substances, and the system is fully digital with barcodes / lookup by phone number. What's not to like?

Bank of America is one of Secrets of the South Bay.

2. Bank of America

6.6
1695 Saratoga Ave (at Prospect Rd), San Jose, CA
Bank · 1 tip

Tom M.Tom McGhan: Jump in the fountain. Bonus points if you do it when it's raining.

Ramen Tenma is one of Secrets of the South Bay.

3. Ramen Tenma

487 Saratoga Ave, San Jose, CA
Ramen Restaurant · West Valley · 21 tips and reviews

Tom M.Tom McGhan: Solve one of the many riddles posted around and earn yourself a free 3 pieces of nori! Just don't be THAT GUY and use your smartphone to cheat. I promise it won't taste nearly as satisfying...

Huong Lan Sandwich is one of Secrets of the South Bay.

4. Huong Lan Sandwich

8.4
1655 Tully Rd, San Jose, CA
Vietnamese Restaurant · 22 tips and reviews

Tom M.Tom McGhan: Skip the sandwich and get the roast suckling pig. Just $155!! You can feed your family, or one really really fat guy. Or 2 kinda fat guys and 8 kids. Or 4 kinda fat guys. THINK OF THE POSSIBILITIES!

5. UPS Customer Center

5.2
1999 S 7th St, San Jose, CA
Post Office · South San Jose · 2 tips and reviews

Tom M.Tom McGhan: If you can't wait at home for a package that requires signature for most anyplace in the South Bay, you gotta come here. Unfortunately it's only open Mon-Fri 9am–5:30pm. Yes, it's THAT inconvenient.

6. Longevity Foot Spa

1145 S. De Anza Blvd. (Kentwood Ave.), San Jose, CA
Spa · 2 tips and reviews

Tom M.Tom McGhan: The three things to know: You can book appointments online, they're open 10am-11pm, and it's $20 for a 1-hour foot+arms+back+neck massage. It's the most obnoxiously great massage deal in the bay.

Johnny D's Barber Shop is one of Secrets of the South Bay.

7. Johnny D's Barber Shop

7.3
830 El Paseo de Saratoga, San Jose, CA
Hair Salon · West Valley · 11 tips and reviews

Tom M.Tom McGhan: It's cash only, so make sure you got the goods before you walk through the door, but this place is legit. You go to supercuts to cut corners. You come here to cut your hair.

8. Euro Market

980 El Camino Real Ste 100 (LaFayette St.), Santa Clara, CA
Grocery Store · 1 tip

Tom M.Tom McGhan: A few doors down from the Euro Grill, this market's primary utility is in all the different kinds of Eastern European candies and chocolates. Drop $20 on anything that looks good, you won't regret it!

Old MacDonald's Farmers Market is one of Secrets of the South Bay.

9. Old MacDonald's Farmers Market

1069 Saratoga Ave (at Will Rogers Dr), San Jose, CA
Farmers Market · West Valley · 8 tips and reviews

Tom M.Tom McGhan: They have Strauss Milk and Cream here. Yum!

Dickey's Barbecue Pit is one of Secrets of the South Bay.

10. Dickey's Barbecue Pit

5391 Prospect Rd (at Lawrence Expy), San Jose, CA
BBQ Joint · 19 tips and reviews

Tom M.Tom McGhan: Kids eat free on Sundays. Your feelings about throngs of children, hands covered in BBQ sauce, running around should dictate whether it's a good idea for you to frequent this place on Sundays.

Classic Car Wash is one of Secrets of the South Bay.

11. Classic Car Wash

6.9
18560 Prospect Rd (btwn Lawrence Expy & Saratoga Ave), Saratoga, CA
Car Wash and Detail · 13 tips and reviews

Tom M.Tom McGhan: If you forget your rewards card they can look you up by phone number. Saves you a slot in your wallet...

12. Pet's Choice

5175 Moorpark Ave, #3 (at Lawrence Expy), San Jose, CA
Pet Supplies Store · Mitty · 4 tips and reviews

Tom M.Tom McGhan: The owner is immensely knowledgeable, can answer any question you have, will work to solve any problem you encounter, has stock you can't find most places, with reasonable prices. Shop here, ok?!?

Super Kyo-Po is one of Secrets of the South Bay.

13. Super Kyo-Po

7.7
3521 Homestead Rd (at Lawrence), Santa Clara, CA
Grocery Store · 13 tips and reviews

Tom M.Tom McGhan: Bonus points if you check out in the lane with a piperlime box side as your signing surface!

IT'SUGAR is one of Secrets of the South Bay.

14. IT'SUGAR

6.6
2855 Stevens Creek Blvd, Santa Clara, CA
Candy Store · 6 tips and reviews

Tom M.Tom McGhan: I wanted to like this place: it's got cute novelty items and a good range of selection but let's be real here. Gas stations have better prices on candy. Seriously!

BevMo! is one of Secrets of the South Bay.

15. BevMo!

6.7
5205 Prospect Rd Ste 157 (at Saratoga Ave), San Jose, CA
Liquor Store · 6 tips and reviews

Tom M.Tom McGhan: The Duvel is a Belgian beer low in hops and high in deliciousness! They have big bottles inside the chill chest and smaller bottles in the Belgian section. Pick one up, you won't regret it.

Lee's Comics is one of Secrets of the South Bay.

16. Lee's Comics

1020 N Rengstorff Ave #F (at Leghorn St), Mountain View, CA
Comic Book Store · 11 tips and reviews

Tom M.Tom McGhan: Yeah, you might save a buck or two buying that trade paperback on Amazon, but buy here to support a local shop and because of the friendly and knowledgeable staff.

17. Lupicia Fresh Tea

2855 Stevens Creek Blvd #2539, Santa Clara, CA
Food and Beverage Retail · 4 tips and reviews

Tom M.Tom McGhan: Sign up for the mailing list to get free tea samples monthly (for one year)! However, resubscription requires a $30 minimum purchase...

18. Salvation Army Thrift Store

1494 Halford Ave (at El Camino Real), Santa Clara, CA
Vintage and Thrift Store · 3 tips and reviews

Tom M.Tom McGhan: These places are best for books. It's all about luck and timing with regards to their furniture. I strongly suggest you avoid the clothes. It's where fashion goes to die.

19. Schroeder's

5343 Prospect Rd, San Jose, CA
Hair Salon · 1 tip

Tom M.Tom McGhan: Play on one of the Xbox 360's they have in the waiting area!

Erik's DeliCafe is one of Secrets of the South Bay.

20. Erik's DeliCafe

717 E El Camino Real, Sunnyvale, CA
Sandwich Spot · Ponderosa · 6 tips and reviews

Tom M.Tom McGhan: What is with the bathrooms here?! The creepy oxen yoke mirror, confusingly putting hand soap in a purel dispenser... it's an Oregon Trail rest stop gone wrong!

21. Costco

7.5
150 Lawrence Station Rd (at Kifer Rd), Sunnyvale, CA
Warehouse or Wholesale Store · 60 tips and reviews

Tom M.Tom McGhan: Come here at the wrong time and you may end up parking as far away as Sweet Tomatoes. No, really.

Comcast Xfinity Service Center is one of Secrets of the South Bay.

22. Comcast Xfinity Service Center

4.4
717 E El Camino Real Ste 8 (btwn S Fair Oaks Ave. & S Wolfe Rd.), Sunnyvale, CA
Business Service · Ponderosa · 27 tips and reviews

Tom M.Tom McGhan: Abandon all hope, ye who enter here...

Chef Chu's is one of Secrets of the South Bay.

23. Chef Chu's

8.1
1067 N San Antonio Rd (at El Camino Real), Los Altos, CA
Chinese Restaurant · North Los Altos · 109 tips and reviews

Tom M.Tom McGhan: Bonus points if you can score a parking spot closer than a 5 minute walk away...

24 Hour Fitness is one of Secrets of the South Bay.

24. 24 Hour Fitness

7.7
762 Sunnyvale Saratoga Rd, Sunnyvale, CA
Gym and Studio · 43 tips and reviews

Tom M.Tom McGhan: Don't waste money on expensive exfoliants, just give yourself a good rubdown with one of their towels after a shower. Yee-owch!

Sprouts Farmers Market is one of Secrets of the South Bay.

25. Sprouts Farmers Market

8.5
111 E El Camino Real (at Saratoga Sunnyvale Rd), Sunnyvale, CA
Grocery Store · Ponderosa · 27 tips and reviews

Tom M.Tom McGhan: They sell acme bread here! Nomnomnomnom...

26. Galleria Market

3531 El Camino Real (at Flora Vista Ave), Santa Clara, CA
Grocery Store · 5 tips and reviews

Tom M.Tom McGhan: Asian produce prices and selection blows away places like Safeway/Whole Foods.

Five Guys is one of Secrets of the South Bay.

27. Five Guys

8.1
116 E El Camino Real (Sunnyvale Saratoga Rd), Sunnyvale, CA
Burger Joint · 44 tips and reviews

Tom M.Tom McGhan: If you have an Android phone, get the five guys app and skip the line by ordering ahead! You can even place orders for future dates and times, so you can get your burger on whenever you want :-)

Bamboo Garden is one of Secrets of the South Bay.

28. Bamboo Garden

108 N Rengstorff Ave (at Central Expy), Mountain View, CA
Chinese Restaurant · 21 tips and reviews

Tom M.Tom McGhan: Small family-run shop with a super friendly owner. Don't be afraid to ask her for recommendations, but definitely get the xiao long bao, (they're pork soup dumplings). Delicious!

Nirvanaah is one of Secrets of the South Bay.

29. Nirvanaah

8.1
1038 E El Camino Real (at Henderson Ave.), Sunnyvale, CA
Ice Cream Parlor · 51 tips and reviews

Tom M.Tom McGhan: If they don't have the take-home tub of the type you want, just tell them what you want and they'll fill one for you on the spot!

Pizzeria Venti is one of Secrets of the South Bay.

30. Pizzeria Venti

6.8
1390 Pear Ave (at N Shoreline Blvd.), Mountain View, CA
Italian Restaurant · 24 tips and reviews

Tom M.Tom McGhan: The food here is pretty good, but it's primarily a weekday lunch spot. Come on a weekend and the service tends to get spotty...

The Boiling Crab is one of Secrets of the South Bay.

31. The Boiling Crab

7.7
71 Curtner Ave Ste 20 (at Monterey Rd), San Jose, CA
Seafood Restaurant · South San Jose · 71 tips and reviews

Tom M.Tom McGhan: If you're worried about rising a spice level when deciding your order, just get some cajun fries at the next level up. That way you'll know if you can handle it on your seafood for next time!

Petco is one of Secrets of the South Bay.

32. Petco

7.3
500 El Paseo de Saratoga, San Jose, CA
Pet Supplies Store · West Valley · 4 tips and reviews

Tom M.Tom McGhan: I love the variety of items here, but make sure to price check against Amazon. They beat their prices by as much as 40%!! Their reviews are incredibly helpful too, if you have to buy it today.

REI is one of Secrets of the South Bay.

33. REI

2450 Charleston Rd (at Independence Ave), Mountain View, CA
Sporting Goods Retail · 31 tips and reviews

Tom M.Tom McGhan: They do sell some under armour products here, if you're looking for some non-ugly athletic gear :-)

Murdock Park is one of Secrets of the South Bay.

34. Murdock Park

7.7
Murdock Park (Wunderlich Dr & Castle Glen Ave), San Jose, CA
Playground · Lynbrook · 4 tips and reviews

Tom M.Tom McGhan: They have bags for your dog's business here and trash cans to dispose of it too.

Pasta Pomodoro is one of Secrets of the South Bay.

35. Pasta Pomodoro

300 W El Camino Real (at S Mathilda Ave.), Sunnyvale, CA
Italian Restaurant · 17 tips and reviews

Tom M.Tom McGhan: The punchh app is available on android now and you get a free entree for every 7 visits.

Sports Authority is one of Secrets of the South Bay.

36. Sports Authority

125 E El Camino Real (at Sunnyvale-Saratoga Rd), Sunnyvale, CA
Sporting Goods Retail · Ponderosa · 15 tips and reviews

Tom M.Tom McGhan: Wow. The clearance racks here are so incredibly disorganized. No sorting by sizes, the hanger size clips are wrong more often than they're right. You can find deals here but it takes a ton of work...

Gaku Yakitori is one of Secrets of the South Bay.

37. Gaku Yakitori

8.5
5152 Moorpark Ave Ste 40 (at Williams Rd.), San Jose, CA
Japanese Restaurant · West Valley · 25 tips and reviews

Tom M.Tom McGhan: Very small space so if you don't want to eat at the counter, you may want to make a reservation.

38. Valero

5.8
601 Saratoga Ave (at Moorpark Ave), San Jose, CA
Fuel Station · West Valley · 2 tips and reviews

Tom M.Tom McGhan: They try to hide the credit price and do it pretty successfully. Be aware before you drive in.

39. Chase Bank

6.4
749 W El Camino Real Fl 1, Mountain View, CA
Bank · 5 tips and reviews

Tom M.Tom McGhan: No drive-thru ATM here. Just a walk-up on the east side.

Storables is one of Secrets of the South Bay.

40. Storables

1600 Saratoga Ave, San Jose, CA
Furniture and Home Store · West Valley · 3 tips and reviews

Tom M.Tom McGhan: Essentially a poor man's Container Store. Slightly different stock, but slightly lower prices, too.

41. The Container Store

8.8
301 Santana Row, San Jose, CA
Furniture and Home Store · 12 tips and reviews

Tom M.Tom McGhan: Heaven for OCD people.

42. Mountain View Community Center

6.1
201 S Rengstorff Ave, Mountain View, CA
Recreation Center · 3 tips and reviews

Tom M.Tom McGhan: This is the place to go to sign up for & pay the various sports leagues Mountain View manages.

43. Williams Cutlery & Gifts

14824 Camden Ave, San Jose, CA
Hardware Store · 1 tip

Tom M.Tom McGhan: Get knives sharpened here (kitchen or otherwise) for an incredibly reasonable price!

Marie Callender's is one of Secrets of the South Bay.

44. Marie Callender's

6.5
751 E El Camino Real (btwn S Fair Oaks & Maria), Sunnyvale, CA
American Restaurant · Ponderosa · 22 tips and reviews

Tom M.Tom McGhan: Bonus points if you find someone dining here under the age of 60!

Orchard Supply Hardware is one of Secrets of the South Bay.

45. Orchard Supply Hardware

5365 Prospect Road, San Jose, CA
Hardware Store · 8 tips and reviews

Tom M.Tom McGhan: Do a double-take when you see the fluffy cat in the nursery.

Lawrence Plaza - Food Court is one of Secrets of the South Bay.

46. Lawrence Plaza - Food Court

3561 El Camino Real (at Lawrence Expy), Santa Clara, CA
Food Court · 17 tips and reviews

Tom M.Tom McGhan: I've seen this food court stay open as late as 9/10pm, which is better than most malls in the Bay Area.

Yogurtland is one of Secrets of the South Bay.

47. Yogurtland

8.1
5395 Prospect Rd., San Jose, CA
Frozen Yogurt Shop · 12 tips and reviews

Tom M.Tom McGhan: If you are spending more than $5 on your froyo, that's more than a pound (30 cents/oz). Careful there...

48. Safeway

1601 Hollenbeck Ave (W Homestead Rd), Sunnyvale, CA
Grocery Store · Serra · 11 tips and reviews

Tom M.Tom McGhan: Don't use the self checkout lanes if you want to bag with paper, since it throws the scales off and the system will keep stopping you and bitching.

BevMo! is one of Secrets of the South Bay.

49. BevMo!

7.7
1247 W El Camino Real (at S. Knickerbocker Dr.), Sunnyvale, CA
Liquor Store · 15 tips and reviews

Tom M.Tom McGhan: If you don't have or want a BevMo club card, supposedly the phone number 111-111-1111 works for discounts!

50. US Post Office

5.4
526 W Fremont Ave (at Saratoga-Sunnyvale Rd), Sunnyvale, CA
Post Office · Serra · 9 tips and reviews

Tom M.Tom McGhan: Don't come here on a Saturday expecting help. It's mail pickup only.

Stanford Stadium is one of Secrets of the South Bay.

51. Stanford Stadium

8.7
625 Nelson Rd (at Galvez St.), Stanford, CA
College Football Field · 38 tips and reviews

Tom M.Tom McGhan: Have a great sign and get shown on National TV.

52. La Fondue

8.3
14550 Big Basin Way (btw 3rd & 4th St), Saratoga, CA
French Restaurant · Saratoga Village · 48 tips and reviews

Tom M.Tom McGhan: Make a reservation (I used opentable), because even with one, I waited 20+ minutes for a table.

IMAX Dome Theater (at The Tech) is one of Secrets of the South Bay.

53. IMAX Dome Theater (at The Tech)

6.8
201 S Market St, San Jose, CA
Movie Theater · Downtown San Jose · 13 tips and reviews

Tom M.Tom McGhan: This is the IMAX inside the Tech Museum. It doesn't JUST have sciency movies, and the screen/sound system is amazing. Worth checking out!

Santa Clara DMV is one of Secrets of the South Bay.

54. Santa Clara DMV

4.4
3665 Flora Vista Ave (at El Camino Real), Santa Clara, CA
Government Building · 74 tips and reviews

Tom M.Tom McGhan: Is it near the end of the month? Stay away. People come here to renew registration without appointments and it's insane, all day. Check online for average wait times, and pick a faster DMV.

55. Burger King

177 W El Camino Real (at 85 & Grant Rd), Mountain View, CA
Fast Food Restaurant · 2 tips and reviews

Tom M.Tom McGhan: Try to not get into an accident while making your way to the awkwardly placed drive-thru.

Target is one of Secrets of the South Bay.

56. Target

7.3
298 W McKinley Ave (btwn S Mathilda & W Iowa Ave), Sunnyvale, CA
Big Box Store · Heritage District · 51 tips and reviews

Tom M.Tom McGhan: Hugenormous Target with no garden section but a huge grocery area to make up for it.

Sunnyvale Public Library is one of Secrets of the South Bay.

57. Sunnyvale Public Library

8.7
665 W Olive Ave (at S. Pastoria Ave.), Sunnyvale, CA
Library · 24 tips and reviews

Tom M.Tom McGhan: Don't forget you can renew online too! (Unless someone has put a hold on the book...)

Hankook Supermarket is one of Secrets of the South Bay.

58. Hankook Supermarket

8.9
1092 E El Camino Real (Lawrence Expressway/Henderson Ave), Sunnyvale, CA
Supermarket · 31 tips and reviews

Tom M.Tom McGhan: Bummed because Baker's Village is closed on Mondays? There's one in the back that's open :-)

59. Oakley

2855 Stevens Creek Blvd Ste 1020, Santa Clara, CA
Retail · 3 tips and reviews

Tom M.Tom McGhan: Not everything that's actually on sale has been tagged with the sale price. Don't be deterred, just check similar items, or ask the staff for the correct price.

60. Famous Mattress

3215 Stevens Creek Blvd (at S. Winchester Blvd.), San Jose, CA
Mattress Store · 1 tip

Tom M.Tom McGhan: This is a pretty bare-bones operation, but I got an absolutely obscene deal here, and overall had the best mattress-buying experience of my life!

Chase Bank is one of Secrets of the South Bay.

61. Chase Bank

7.0
1725 Saratoga Ave (at Prospect), San Jose, CA
Bank · 2 tips and reviews

Tom M.Tom McGhan: Branch is open until 4pm on Saturdays, outclassing most (all?) nearby branches.

62. Jamba Juice

7.6
1030 El Paseo de Saratoga (at W Campbell Ave.), San Jose, CA
Juice Bar · West Valley · 18 tips and reviews

Tom M.Tom McGhan: The steel-cut oatmeal is slow-cooked and way better for you than anything you make at home, trust me. Even just the brown sugar crumble is enough to make it yummy (if you're counting calories)!

63. Smart & Final Extra!

6.3
1265 S Mary Ave, Sunnyvale, CA
Grocery Store · 3 tips and reviews

Tom M.Tom McGhan: Produce here can be hit or miss (in quality and freshness, not price), but the prices on meat can't be beat!

64. Chevron

4.8
1005 W El Camino Real (at S Mary Ave), Sunnyvale, CA
Fuel Station · 12 tips and reviews

Tom M.Tom McGhan: Make sure to save the loyalty card. 5 washes and you get the 6th free!

Old Navy is one of Secrets of the South Bay.

65. Old Navy

6.7
1600 Saratoga Ave (at Westgate Mall), San Jose, CA
Clothing Store · West Valley · 5 tips and reviews

Tom M.Tom McGhan: If the checkout is packed in the front, there's 1-2 more in the back of the store...

66. Le Boulanger

1390 El Paseo de Saratoga, San Jose, CA
Sandwich Spot · West Valley · 13 tips and reviews

Tom M.Tom McGhan: They have coke zero on tap here. A welcome rarity!

Five Guys is one of Secrets of the South Bay.

67. Five Guys

8.5
5205 Prospect Avenue (Saratoga Ave), San Jose, CA
Burger Joint · 15 tips and reviews

Tom M.Tom McGhan: Bored while waiting for your food? There are crates of peanuts in between some trash cans by the drinks. But unlike the original DC location, don't drop the shells on the floor!